Notre Dame's Portal Haul Reassures Commitment to Winning
- Bruce Straughan
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
After the 2025 College Football season came to a close, Notre Dame fans across the country were still wringing their hands, wondering what if?
That's a question that will never be answered, but make no mistake about it, Marcus Freeman and his staff didn't take it lying down. For years, we watched the college football landscape change and Notre Dame refuse to keep up with the times. For years, we begged for them to spend the money to build the program back to where it once was, a powerhouse of the college football world during the days of Rockne, Leahy, Ara, and Holtz.
For decades, following the departure of Lou Holtz, Notre Dame refused to change with the times and do what was necessary to win. With the previous athletic director, Jack Swarbrick, appearing to cling to the University's funds as if they came out of his own pocket, it seemed it would never change. Enter President Father Dowd and the current athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, who both vowed to do what it took to make the football program elite again. Many fans weren't willing to hold their breath, as we've all heard it before, and yet it never seemed to happen.
It appeared we had been hoodwinked again as the portal opened and Notre Dame seemed to remain idle. It left many fans wondering if it was just the same old Notre Dame. I was told by multiple sources leading up to the portal window that "Notre Dame was going to shock a lot of people in a good way" when it came to portal acquisition, but fans remained on edge.
That was until the floodgates were finally opened. After the first week of the portal window concluded, Notre Dame began announcing commitments and signings left and right, one elite signing after the other, filling vital holes left from players declaring for the draft and the transfer portal. Notre Dame's defensive line went from its biggest weakness going into 2026 to its biggest strength after signing Keon Keeley, Tionne Gray, and Francis Brewu.
Notre Dame didn't stop at the defensive line, as they landed two explosive weapons in Ohio State WR transfers Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham. QB CJ Carr had one of the best seasons for a young QB at Notre Dame in many years, if not the best, and will now have some explosive star power at the wide receiver position for the 2026 season.
Notre Dame finally came through as promised, and there shouldn't be any doubt as to how badly they want to win another national championship. The Irish went out and spent the money, filling the holes that needed to be filled. The 2026 season appears to be very bright for this team, and on paper, it may be one of the best teams in school history. Of course, that still has to be proven on the field, but Notre Dame appears primed for the big stage next fall.
Notre Dame fans have a ton to look forward to in the upcoming season, but had to stomach through another season of coming up just short. It will all be worth it, though, if the Irish can finally put it all together next season. With one of the best recruiting classes in a generation coming in, a bolstered roster from the portal, and a seasoned QB in CJ Carr, this upcoming season should be one for the ages. Until next fall...
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